Apple 'Investigating' Macs With Cellular Connectivity

[MacRumors]

Apple is considering bringing cellular connectivity to the Mac lineup for the first time, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The Cupertino company is said to be "investigating" the possibility of adding a modem chip to a future Mac, but a cellular Mac isn't likely to launch until 2026 or later.

Early in 2025, Apple plans to introduce the custom-built 5G chip that it's had in the works for years now. The modem chip will be added to the iPhone SE, low-cost iPad, and iPhone 17 "Air," giving Apple an opportunity to test the technology before rolling it out to flagship devices.

From there, Apple's custom 5G modem chip will expand to other iPhones and iPads over a three-year period, and it may also come to the Mac. A Mac with a 5G chip would be able to connect to a cellular network just like a 5G-enabled iPhone or iPad, and Wi-Fi or a cellular hotspot would not be required.

The first Apple modem chip will be limited to sub-6GHz 5G speeds, but the second-generation version will support faster mmWave technology. Apple is aiming to outcompete Qualcomm with a third-generation model, offering better performance and AI features. Apple ultimately wants to phase out Qualcomm modem chips, replacing them with the modem chips that Apple has designed.

Last year, Gurman said that Macs with Apple-designed modem chips would be introduced in 2028 at the earliest, with Apple planning to integrate 5G connectivity into its Apple silicon chips.

Macs with 5G connectivity have been rumored for several years, and way back in 2008, Apple considered adding a modem chip to the MacBook Air. Then-CEO Steve Jobs said that Apple decided not to because the modem chip would take up too much room in the case and would lock customers to a specific carrier, but chip technology has come a long way since then.

Article Link: Apple 'Investigating' Macs With Cellular Connectivity

 

[Dark_Omen]

I would welcome this, especially if carriers are able to sell these devices. I think it would increase Mac sales. People finance their phones interest free for 36 months, so why not a similarly priced Mac with unlimited data for $20 a month?

 

[swm]

hmm. I always carry my iPhone and the existing integration is seamless.

 

[brandoman]

Remember when you could do this with a PC card on the Powerbook?

 

[JohnC1959]

I bet there are some road warriors that would go for this. For many though tethering is a fine and fast option. They have limits on how much data you can use while tethering before they charge extra but then I'd pay extra to get the service for that laptop so who knows how the final monthly cost would shake out between tethering and dedicated laptop cell service.

 

[emmab2006]

I would welcome this, especially if carriers are able to sell these devices. I think it would increase Mac sales. People finance their phones interest free for 36 months, so why not a similarly priced Mac with unlimited data for $20 a month?

could not agree more , would make macs or accessible to those who have been unable to afford to get into the ecosystem fully.

 

[gleepskip]

a cellular Mac isn't likely to launch until 2026 or later.

Of course it won't be for years. Small iterations on products are always out of reach.

 

[fenderbass146]

I really don't see the point with auto connecting hotspot...outside of a sales tactic to get Macs in more retailers.

 

[contacos]

Been wondering for the last 15 years or so why that isn't a thing yet. I mean, even a tiny Apple Watch has space for that. Esims make it so easy too

 

[mansplains]

Now add a full cellular modem to iPads so I don’t need VoIP for my phablet. Plus phone speaker/mic and the watch app.

 

[sunapple]

Would there be a big technical hurdle to do this? I’ve always wondered why the option isn’t there while iPads can have it. Maybe there wasn’t a market for it? And what would have changed now?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Been wondering for the last 15 years or so why that isn't a thing yet. I mean, even a tiny Apple Watch has space for that. Esims make it so easy too

Because Apple would have to pay Qualcomm for the chip. Now that they are rolling their own (as rumored), they may include the capability... probably eSIM-only for maximum possible monthly rates vs. cheap SIM rates (particularly when traveling) even though Macs should have abundant room for a sim tray. Why? Because Apple fans just can't pay enough. 💰💰💰

Besides, how much extra does Apple charge for cellular on iPads? Why not charge at least that extra for MBs too?

 

[tgom222]

I would welcome this, especially if carriers are able to sell these devices. I think it would increase Mac sales. People finance their phones interest free for 36 months, so why not a similarly priced Mac with unlimited data for $20 a month?

It's going to be a lot more than $20. You can't get a phone and service for that. More like $60+ a month for three years for a MacBook Air with service... I'm sure the carriers will love getting $2160 over three years for a $1000 product!

 

[jz0309]

can't wait for the complaints here when this comes and Apple charges actual $$ for this .
and not to forget the cell carrier charges

 

[JohnC1959]

It's going to be a lot more than $20. You can't get a phone and service for that. More like $60+ a month for three years for a MacBook Air with service... I'm sure the carriers will love getting $2160 over three years for a $1000 product!

Agree. $60+/mo for unlimited. A big reason why it would be high is that computers tend to use a lot more data. Also it would mostly be those using their computer for business that would be highly motivated and the company would pay for it (deeper pockets).

 

[jz0309]

Because Apple would have to pay Qualcomm for the chip. Now that they are rolling their own (as rumored), they may include the capability... probably eSIM-only for maximum possible monthly rates vs. cheap SIM rates (particularly when traveling) even though Macs should have abundant room for a sim tray. Why? Because Apple fans just can't pay enough. 💰💰💰

Besides, how much extra does Apple charge for cellular on iPads? Why not charge at least that extra for MBs too?

had to look that up: $150

 

[iBluetooth]

Been wondering for the last 15 years or so why that isn't a thing yet. I mean, even a tiny Apple Watch has space for that. Esims make it so easy too

The reason is Qualcomm, they require a percentage of the device selling costs for their patents. Thus, this is only viable when Apple is ready with their own wireless chips. They bought that division from Intel.

 

[ignatius345]

I bet there are some road warriors that would go for this. For many though tethering is a fine and fast option. They have limits on how much data you can use while tethering before they charge extra but then I'd pay extra to get the service for that laptop so who knows how the final monthly cost would shake out between tethering and dedicated laptop cell service.

Also tethering drains your phone, which just another thing to have to charge.

For me, tethering is totally sufficient but I totally recognize that others have different needs than I do. I could see in a work environment just being issued a laptop that's already connected to data so you never have to use sketchy public wifi or tether to your personal device.

 

[Wanted797]

hmm. I always carry my iPhone and the existing integration is seamless.

It’s the business use case.

My phone and data plan is mine. But I’m provided a work laptop. When I had a Lenovo. It had a SIM and its own data plan.

With my replacement MacBook Pro I lost that.

 

[Rayansb]

That would be welcome news.

 

[Chiromac81]

This is the biggest scratch my head. Why hasn't it happened? Five years ago thing I can possibly think of

 

[JohnC1959]

Also tethering drains your phone, which just another thing to have to charge.

For me, tethering is totally sufficient but I totally recognize that others have different needs than I do. I could see in a work environment just being issued a laptop that's already connected to data so you never have to use sketchy public wifi or tether to your personal device.

Though you can charge your phone off of your MacBook. I also have a small power bank I keep in my laptop sleeve case.

 

[DunedinD]

I bet there are some road warriors that would go for this. For many though tethering is a fine and fast option. They have limits on how much data you can use while tethering before they charge extra but then I'd pay extra to get the service for that laptop so who knows how the final monthly cost would shake out between tethering and dedicated laptop cell service.

Some plans don’t even limit tethering. I’ve used it almost daily for my iPad for years. That said, since I last reset stats in July 2015, Personal Hotspot has used only 759 GB.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Now add a full cellular modem to iPads so I don’t need VoIP for my phablet. Plus phone speaker/mic and the watch app.

No, because that would allow you to do everything you do on an iPhone on your iPad.

And on that note, there's most definitely no possibility Macs with cellular would be allowed to make cellular phone calls independently of an iPhone.

If this is going to happen then it's going to be the same sort of setup as cellular iPad.

 

[iBluetooth]

Would there be a big technical hurdle to do this? I’ve always wondered why the option isn’t there while iPads can have it. Maybe there wasn’t a market for it? And what would have changed now?

The pantent fees from Qualcomm, which are percentages of the sales price, so expensive devices pay a lot more for the chip